Mar 28







Crazy Hat-Parade


Oooooh, summer holidays!
The actors in this fun pictures are:
My Mom (the lady in black),
My Dad (wearing the shimmy and the not too flat airbag-like belly *LOL*),
Chris (the good old friend of mine in the black shirt)
Sanni (me, the grining Chesire cat).
It was taken in 2001, at our last evening after a wonderful vacation @ the Occidental Grand Flamenco Hotel, Playa Dorada, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. I´m killing two birds with one stone posting this picture. We are having a Crazy Hat-Parade at our Lifecruiser Cyber Cruise today - and, after being your host in Dominican Republic on Monday and yesterday´s Merengue lesson I can show one of my favorite vacation pictures at the end of our Dominican trip. Thanks for stopping by - and please accept my apologizes for not being as wordless as usual today… =)

Happy WW,

And now…
… our moment of Homer J.:

Homer’s Brain: Use reverse psychology.
Homer: Oh, that sounds too complicated.
Homer’s Brain: Okay, don’t use reverse psychology.
Homer: Okay, I will!






Mar 27

[Please scroll 1 post down for my 1st Tackle It Tuesday]


Dominican Republic Part 2

Welcome - Willkommen - Vaelkomna - ¡Bienvenidos! - Velkommen - Bienvenue - Benvenuti

The birthplace of the famous wooden dick pipe =)
and home of the
Merengue
Dominican Music and Dominican Identity

Feel free to listen to my alltime favorite Merengue Song “Demasiado Romantica” by Eddie Herrera to get in the perfect mood for Merengue!

History of Merengue
Merengue has its origins on the island of Santo Domingo. Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim to have invented it. Haiti claims that a great, war hero returned from battle with the neighboring islands. Unfortunately he had severely injured one of his legs in battle. At the victory feast and dance, everyone danced by dragging one leg so as not to embarrass or insult their hero. The Dominican Republic has a similar story. They claim that a prince was born with a lame leg and that his servants, so as not to insult him, would always dance by dragging one leg.

Regardless of its origins, merengue is one of the most popular and widely danced dances throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean islands. It is also popular in Latin Clubs and in dance studios in the United States.

Description of Merengue
Merengue music essentially has the tempo and rhythm of marching music. This is appropriate for the even tempo left, right, left, right, step timing. The music and the basic step may be counted: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. Counting to eight is also very popular. The basic step can be thought of as step, close, step, close, step, close, step, close. Most patterns require 4 beats or eight beats of music. Like disco music, merengue music has heavy down beats on every count. The music style is festive and happy and the music tempo is about 120 to 160 beats per minute.

Character of Merengue
Going along with the festive character of the music, the dance figures can be spontaneous and very improvisational. They can also be sexy and a little wild. Acceptable figures can include pretzels, wraps, ropes, and tunnels. As the basic step is simply marching in nature, hundreds of figures are possible. Even so, many folks simply dance merengue in closed dance position only.

The key to looking good is in the body action. It’s not the moves you do but how you move that’s important. Learning the Merengue is a good way to start familiarizing yourself with Dominican Motion, which is the way that your body moves in all the Latin dances. Dominican motion, specifically hip action is an essential defining element of the dance. Dominican motion results from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. As a knee bends, the same hip drops. As a knee straightens, the same hip is pushed up and out. Thus the hips move up and down. Again the secret is this: as a knee bends to release weight in preparation for stepping, the same hip should drop. The up and down hip action can be practiced by standing in place and alternately bending and straightening the knees.

And now - the fun:
Merengue lesson:

Note - Coffee 2 go, especially Sanni, cannot be held responsible for anything that happens to you as a result of taking part in this Merengue lesson. Especially neither fractures or any sexual deadbeat nor the opposite *LOL*
You do this at your own risk!

Dominican motion comes mainly from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. As a knee bends the same hip drops. Conversely, as a knee straightens, the same hip rises. Thus the hips move up and down. A common mistake is to twist the hips in an effort to achieve Cuban motion.

Step #1—Loosen Up by Bending and Straightening the Knees
Begin by standing in place with your feet together and alternately bending and straightening your left and right knees. As a knee bends allow the same hip to drop.

Step #2—Add Stepping Action to the Bending Action
Next, begin stepping in place and continue the alternate bending and straightening action. Try to make complete weight changes with each step. Remember; as a knee bends allow the same hip to drop.

Step #3—Make Distinct Steps Using Ball-Flat Footwork
The correct footwork is ball-flat for all steps. All steps are taken to the inside edge of the ball of the foot. The ball of the foot hits the floor first, and then you lower to the flat of the foot. All steps should be distinct. A mistake is to shuffle the feet. Again, try to make complete weight changes with each step.

Step #4—Add Contra-Body Action
The natural walking action of humans is for the right arm and shoulder to move forward as the left leg moves forward and conversely for the left arm and shoulder to move forward as the right leg moves forward. This is called contra-body action. Keep your hands above your waist and add contra-body upper body action to the stepping and bending action.

Step #5—Isolate the Rib Cage
In Latin dancing, steps to the side entail a natural lead of the rib cage. First loosen up the rib cage. Stand in place, hold your lower body still and move your rib cage alternately from left to right. Be careful not to tilt your upper body.

On steps to the side, the ribcage will lead as shown here. Thus as the left foot steps out to the left, the rib cage slides over to the left. Don’t forget that the left hip will drop as the left knee bends in preparation for stepping to the left.

The action we see here is important for meringue dancing. Again, be careful not to tilt your upper body.

Step #6—Put it all together
With your feet together, step in place, making distinct steps, using the ball-flat footwork. The stepping action should be accompanied by the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. Remember, as a knee bends, the same hip drops. Conversely, as a knee straightens, the same hip rises. This is why the steps feel like you are pushing into the floor. Incorporate the contra-body upper body action. Be sure to keep your hands above your waist. Now let’s go from stepping in place to making a basic mambo step pattern. The step timing is quick quick slow, quick quick slow. The small step to the side should entail a natural rib cage lead.
Step #7—The Most Important: Practice
At first, you will need to think about the actions and the steps. You might feel awkward. As you practice, everything will begin to feel natural and to look natural. Review and practice every day or as often as possible until the actions become as natural and as automatic as tying a shoe.

The result should look like this:

It didn´t work yet? You tumbled?
Mistakes might be:
- Shaking or twisting the hips.
In order to achieve Dominican motion the hips should move up and down naturally as a result of the bending and straightening of the knees.

- Tilting the upper body back and forth like an inverted pendulum.
Instead the shoulders should remain level during the dance.

- Not getting the hip action.
As each knee bends, the same hip must be allowed to drop. You can´t dance correctly if you shuffle your feet. Instead, you must make complete weight changes with each step.

Please try again… maybe after watching this:

I hope you´ve had as much fun as I had in my first Merengue lesson!

Thanks for cruising,

And now…
… our moment of Homer J.:

Homer: I’ll never wiggle my bare butt it public again
Lisa: I’d like to beleive that this time, I really would.

Mar 26

[Manic Monday #9 is one post below]Welcome - Willkommen - Vaelkomna - ¡Bienvenidos! - Velkommen - Bienvenue - Benvenuti

The birthplace of the famous wooden dick pipe =)

The tropical temperatures, golden beaches and friendly people make this a Latin American dream holiday.

Let´s get started with a few Dominican Impressions:

The Dominican Republic is where Hispaniola meets Latin America and reggae gives way to meringue. The varied landscape means there is plenty to see and do, from snorkeling over coral reefs, swimming with dolphins, monster truck safari or taking a relaxing stroll on one of the many white golden sandy beaches.

When I was cyber-taking you to Berlin you all walked 1.000+ miles courageously - I´ll try to compensate your burning feet by giving you a relaxing excursion to many beautiful places in the Dominican Republic.

While the countryside offers villages influenced by a Spanish heritage, only a handful of visitors see them. Most go to the beach resorts or to Santo Domingo.

World-famous resort complexes at Casa de Campo, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana attract droves of visitors. Visitors with limited vacation time are often hard-pressed to choose their activities: Golf, tennis, fabulous beaches and horseback riding compete with world-class windsurfing (at Cabarete) scuba diving and outstanding sport fishing for marlin, sailfish and dorado.

Some of the world´s finest cigars are made here from Cuban-seed tobacco brought by Cuban expatriates after the Revolution. In addition to rum, Mama Juana (called liquid Viagra), hand-rolled cigars, the Dominican Republic cultivates heavenly coffee beans. Larimar, the Dominican version of turquoise mined near the Haitian border, is another bargain.

The number of things you can do in the Dominican Republic is simply endless.

Exclusive Paradise Island Helicopter Trip:
Imagine a deserted island with golden sand and calm, turquoise water lapping gently at its shores. Imagine the Atlantic stretching out to infinity on one horizon and lush mountains climbing out of the other. Imagine finding yourself… nowhere… accompanied only by tropical fish, colorful reefs, warm Caribbean sun and, of course, your own personal bartender. I am pleased to welcome you to spend an exclusive afternoon with a few friends, your special someone or by yourself on the exotic Cayo Paraíso.

Let my cyber helicopter fly you over the beautiful landscapes of Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Maimon and Luperon to the small coastal community of Punta Rucia and the sandbank known locally as Cayo Paraíso. You are free to snorkel and swim in the crystal clear waters surrounding the island, or just relax and enjoy your pampered afternoon with food and drink while the ocean breeze takes you far away from reality.

North Coast Deep Sea Fishing Charter:
My fishing cyber cruisers are for up to 6 guests fishing plus 5 observers. With an expert crew, your own rod and live bait you have the best chance to bring back the big one.

The deep Ocean blue waters of this area is a contrast from the turquoise of the crystal clear shallows, and it is this change of depth that provides a rich habitat for the big game fish. Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Wahoo, Sailfish, Dorado are all caught in these waters at various times of the year.

Catching a tan is guaranteed, catching the big one? Well the fun is in the trying, but in the sparkling sun… out on a beautiful boat with experienced and friendly crew, this trip is guaranteed to be memorable.

North Coast Giant Catamaran Charter
Ket´s have a trip of smooth downwind sailing exploring the remote coastal areas between Maimon Bay and Luperon.

Peace and Tranquility rule aboard the luxurious and spacious 24-meter Cyber Catamaran with plenty of roomy deck space. Start the day off right with a refreshing welcome drink and Caribbean rhythms soaking up the sun and magnificent landscapes on our way to an amazing coral head for snorkeling.

An authentic Dominican feast awaits a little further west on Cambiaso Beach. We´ll have plenty of time to explore the serene community living in isolated tropical paradise, relax and swim before boarding the Tip Top for our final downwinder to the Luperon Yacht Club nestled among the mangroves in the naturally-formed harbor.

Paradise Island:
We´ll visit the idyllic “Paradise Island”, a sand-bank surrounded by coral reefs. Only 2 and a half hours away we reach the village of Punta Rucia by bus, where we leave by speed boat out into the ocean. In the middle of no-where appears our “Paradise Island”, where we enjoy the sun, the turquoise water and the white sand beach.

A delight for divers (both certified and beginners) and snorkelers are the colourful fishes and corals in the surrounding clear water. On our way back by boat we pass through the mangroves of the National Park.

Sosua Bay
The bay of Sosua on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is a privileged place for diving. With optimum visibility and temperature conditions practically throughout the year, Sosua offers about 20 different dive sites that cover all ranges of depth and experience.

This coral reef bay allows us to observe a colourful underwater world, where we can encounter such species as angelfish, butterfly fish, moraine, barracuda and lobster thanks to the diversity of the reef formation. Occasionally we can be surprised by huge sting rays, dolphins or turtles.

Rum Runners Jeep Adventure
The Rum Runners Jeep Adventure is a fabulous fun spent in the back of an open air 4X4 vehicle.
We´ll have a fully guided tour through the fields and hills and villages of the REAL Dominican Republic, experiencing the sights and sounds and smells of the way life has been lived on this island paradise for many years. We will visit a small waterfall, where we can take a refreshing dip in the cool mountain stream.

Main actors in this Rum Runner Jeep Safari Videos:
My Mom (the yellow basecaped lady)
My Dad (the yellow basecaped gent with the huge belly)
Chris (my best friend - the handsome redhead guy)
Sanni (me… in a way too small black bikini *ooops* but with a nice pirate bandana)

My first thought after jumping down the cliff like a :
“There´s always a but(t) - and my butt f%*king hurts…”
*ROFLMAO*

Please refrain from watching part #2 if you fear snakes, parrots, spaghetti, balck beans, brown rice, coffee or… the top banana mega long dong - together with dangling bollocks - ever seen, belonging to the world´s biggest bull *YUCK*!

In the evening:
Private Beach Bon-Fire - We then will enjoy an elegant dinner on the beach with lobster, filet, potpourri of typical Dominican cuisine and a lifetime-dose of Cuba Libre … a spread for the ages! After dinner we “dive” into the Santo Domingo nightlife, featuring a visit to La Guacara Taina, a stalactite-filled cave disco.

And, last but not least - your Lifecruiser Cyber Cruise Dominican Republic Beach Bum Souvenir *hicc*

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I did planning it =)

Thanks for cruising,

And now…
… our moment of Homer J.:

Bart: I smell a museum.
Homer: Yeah, good things don’t end with ‘eum,’ they end with ‘mania’ or ‘teria.’

Jan 24








Happy WW,

And now…
… our moment of Homer J.:

Homer: Well, what do you think, Marge? All I need is a title. I was thinking along the lines of… No TV and no beer make Homer something something.
Marge: Go crazy?
Homer: Don’t mind if I do!